News

Woman quizzed over money laundering

GARDAI investigating a suspected IRA money-laundering operation have released without charge a woman they suspect masterminded attempts to launder money in Bulgaria.

The 56-year-old businesswoman was released without charge on Friday night after being questioned for 24 hours in Balbriggan garda station, north Dublin. A file is now being prepared for the DPP.

The woman, described as a “key figure” in the investigation, was arrested by the Criminal Assets Bureau at a house in Killucan, Co Westmeath, that was first raided 10 days ago.

The house was formerly occupied by Cathy Armstrong, the business partner of Ted Cunningham, a Cork financier who was arrested after more than €2m in cash was discovered in their home earlier this month.

The woman, who is a business associate of Phil Flynn, the former head of the government’s decentralisation implementation group, led a seven-strong delegation, including Flynn and Cunningham, to Bulgaria last month. She